Why breath smells

Not brushing and flossing regularly causes sulfur compounds to be released by bacteria in the mouth. Use proper dental hygiene, especially flossing. Remember that mouthwashes are not effective in treating the underlying problem. Fresh parsley or a strong mint is often an effective way to fight temporary bad breath. Avoid smoking. Otherwise, follow your health care provider's instructions to treat any underlying cause of bad breath. The physical exam will include a thorough inspection of your mouth and nose.

A throat culture may be taken if you have a sore throat or mouth sores. Antibiotics may be prescribed for some conditions. For an object in the nose, your provider will use an instrument to remove it. Murr AH. If you have dental appliances, a device that uses water to jet away food, like a Waterpik , might work better than floss or tape.

Some mouthwashes kill bacteria as they freshen your breath, and many contain fluoride to protect your teeth and gums from decay. Seeing a dentist twice a year is an important preventative measure. Regular cleanings can remove stubborn plaque buildup that can be hard to get rid of on your own. Your dentist or hygienist can also show you techniques and devices for making sure you follow the most effective at-home dental hygiene practices. Because bad breath is most often caused by something going on in your mouth or throat, a dentist can help isolate the cause.

Treating the smell of your breath may require getting the medical condition under control. Smoking cigarettes and using chewing tobacco or snuff can increase your risk of many serious health conditions, including:.

Not only will quitting tobacco improve your breath , but it may also reduce your risk of many other health problems. You may also want to consider sleeping with a humidifier in your room if your dry mouth tends to be caused from sleeping with your mouth open. Limiting caffeine, antihistamines, and alcohol may also help. Also, try not to use an oral rinse or mouthwash that contains alcohol.

There are a number of products on the market to moisten your mouth, including rinses, chewing gums, and mouth sprays that can help replenish fluids. Bacteria, gum disease, cavities, dry mouth, poorly fitting dental devices, and infections are among the leading causes of bad breath. Sometimes problems in the intestinal tract, liver, and kidneys are at the root of the problem.

To prevent or treat bad breath, practice good dental hygiene and be sure to get regular dental checkups. They can help determine if your breath odor is caused by an underlying health condition. Smelling your own breath is surprisingly difficult, but there are a few ways to test if your breath is less than fresh. Obviously, right? Yep, morning breath is pretty much a given, but here's why it happens: While you're sleeping peacefully, the bacteria in your mouth are anything but.

The bugs take advantage of the fact that your production of saliva slows way down during sleep—and since your saliva helps "clean" your mouth, your breath might have a bad odor until you brush your teeth the next morning. Morning breath is totally normal, but some researchers refer to it as " morning halitosis. Mouth-breathing may make your saliva evaporate, which can dry out your mouth and reduce your mouth's ability to rinse away food particles.

Some people breathe through their mouths while they sleep, but many people often do it during exercise as well, says Hadie Rifai , a dentist at the Cleveland Clinic.

In fact, dental hygiene in athletes is currently being studied by experts: One study by researchers from Germany found that the more time people spent in training, the more likely they were to have cavities. The scientists also speculated that the reduced saliva flow during exercise may play a role.

That's not a reason to stop exercising, of course. Just make sure you stay hydrated during a workout and replenish your fluids afterwards, Dr. Rifai says. Garlic and onions are two famous offenders, but other culprits include spices, cabbage, Brussels sprouts , cauliflower, and radishes. And even though the pungent scent of those foods might fade away after an hour or two, it can still come back up again—in one big garlicy burp. And bad breath from food can occasionally stem from the GI tract, not just your mouth.

When you digest food, the chemicals are eventually absorbed into your bloodstream and enter your lungs, where you can expel them later , "says John Grbic , a dentist at ColumbiaDoctors in New York City. Skipping meals is a surefire way to have bad breath. That's because when we don't eat, we don't produce as much saliva.

Why's that important? Because saliva doesn't just clean up food particles, it also breaks down that food to help it slide down our throats more easily, says Dr. Oh, and one more thing: Skipping meals isn't a very good way to lose weight, either. Add halitosis to the list of health conditions that can be caused by cigarettes. Smoking is also a major cause of bad breath. There are lots of myths about taking care of bad breath.

Here are three things you may have heard about bad breath that are not true:. Mouthwash only gets rid of bad breath temporarily. If you do use mouthwash, look for an antiseptic kills the germs that cause bad breath and plaque-reducing one with a seal from the American Dental Association ADA. When you're deciding which dental products to toss into your shopping cart, it's always a good idea to look for those that are accepted by the ADA.

Also, ask your dentist for recommendations.